About MELSA

What is MELSA?

MELSA is a multi-jurisdictional federation of the city and county public libraries in the metropolitan Twin City area organized to provide cooperative services and cost saving programs to the participants. MELSA is the administrative agency for receiving and equitable sharing of state and federal grant appropriations made available through Library Development & Services of the Minnesota Department of Children, Family & Learning.

How is MELSA organized?

MELSA was established in 1969 as a non-profit governmental agency in accordance with the Minnesota Joint Powers Agreement, an agreement between the cities and counties of the member libraries, and serves as one of twelve regional library systems in the state. It is governed by a Board of Trustees; one trustee is appointed by each party to the agreement. The Trustees receive professional advice from an advisory board composed of the directors of the regular member libraries. There are also teams and interest groups made up of staff members from the libraries organized to consider specialized areas of library operations.

Geographically, MELSA is the most compact of the twelve systems. The seven-county metropolitan Twin Cities service area contains more than 52% of the state’s population and has over 104 public service buildings, plus bookmobiles. The State of Minnesota mandates that all counties in Minnesota must provide library services. Federal and state funding is provided to all of the regional systems. Library, Development & Services is responsible for the administration of these funds.

Which libraries are members?

The current regular membership includes:

• Anoka County Library
• Carver County Library System
• Dakota County Library System
• Hennepin County Library
• Minneapolis Public Library
• Ramsey County Public Library
• Saint Paul Public Library
• Scott County Library System
• Washington County Library

Associate member libraries participate in MELSA programs through contractual arrangements with MELSA and their counties:

In what ways are patrons served by MELSA?

A patron of any member library may borrow materials and use the information services of any public library in the metro area. Materials from any library in the federation may be called for at any convenient branch library through the regional interlibrary loan service.

Who may use the system?

Any borrower having a valid library card issued by any member library.

How can borrowers be identified?

Patrons must have a card from their own resident library; i.e., a Scott County Library patron must have a Scott County Library card before receiving service at Minneapolis Public Library. Although it is preferred that patrons apply for a library card at their own resident library, applications for any library will be handled by other members of MELSA.

What is the agency's Mission Statement?

MELSA overcomes boundaries to enable public libraries cooperatively to provide expanded access to quality library service in the seven-county metropolitan area.

Where can more information about MELSA be obtained?

MELSA welcomes inquiries and visitors to the MELSA office. Anyone wishing further information may telephone 651-645-5731 to arrange a convenient time to visit.